Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team defeated the York Lions 76-63 on Friday night (Feb. 26) at Tait McKenzie Centre.

With the victory, the Blues improve to 7-11 and remain in third place in the OUA East.

U of T came out on fire as third-year guard Diedre Edwards utilized her attacking style to secure several and-one opportunities, while setting up her teammates for open shots. First-year guard Keyira Parkes and Blues scoring leader Rahshida Atkinson were the beneficiaries of the open looks and helped lift Toronto a 15-point lead heading into the second quarter.

York would push back in the second, going on a quick run to bring the lead down to single-digits, but a flurry of baskets from the Blues, including two knockdown three's from Parkes, carried U of T to a 46-36 lead at the half.

In the third, Toronto would once again have to withstand a surge from the Lions but continued strong play from Atkinson and Parkes carried the Blues through the tough stretch and lifted the squad to a playoff-clinching fourth.

Atkinson led all scorers with 20 points, while adding five rebounds and three steals. Parkes finished the night with 15 points shooting an efficient 6-for-11 from the field while also adding two steals.

Nina Guzina led all Lions with 11 points, including three baskets beyond the arc.

The Varsity Blues will now end their regular season in Kingston, Ontario tomorrow night (Feb. 27) taking on the Queen's Gaels. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.

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